BROOKFIELD 
The bobcat that repeatedly attacked members of a Brookfield family Sunday — and compelled a man to kill it with his handgun — displayed extremely rare behavior, according to state wildlife and public health officials.

State officials say the bobcat was most likely infected with the deadly rabies neurological disease, and that would explain the animal’s completely abnormal actions.

Brookfield police responded to an 8:54 a.m. emergency call Sunday from Cindy Mundell, who lives with her husband, Roger D. Mundell Jr., on South Maple Street. A 15-year-old nephew was also at the house.

When police arrived just before 9 a.m., Roger, who had been bitten in the face and clawed extensively by the bobcat, had shot the animal dead with his .38-caliber Smith & Wesson after the animal went after their nephew and injured him.

“Unfortunately there was no choice but to put down the animal,” Brookfield Police Chief Michael Blanchard said yesterday.

“It was the only thing they could have done.”

The first attack occurred when Mr. Mundell entered his garage, not realizing that another door to the garage had been left open and the bobcat was inside.

In an interview Monday, Mrs. Mundell said the bobcat lunged about 8 feet through the air to attack Mr. Mundell.

When it landed, the bobcat “clamped his front claws around his head and shoulders — he peeled his jacket off to get” the animal off of him, she said.

Mr. Mundell was now bleeding and the animal ran about 30 feet and attacked the Mundell’s nephew, Michael Granger, who was working on a nearby trailer.

Mr. Mundell again fought with the animal, getting it off Michael, and pinned the bobcat with a pair of crutches.

Meanwhile, his wife called police and got her husband’s Smith & Wesson .380-caliber pistol, which he used to kill the animal.

Dr. Catherine M. Brown, the state’s public health veterinarian, said data show there has been no increase in rabid animals in Massachusetts.

“This is something that can happen occasionally; all evidence suggests this was an isolated event,” Dr. Brown said yesterday.

“In this situation the likelihood the animal was rabid is pretty significant,” she said.

There were 110 confirmed rabies cases in the state in 2011 and about the same number last year. Nearly all were wildlife, such as raccoons and bats. About five cases in each year involved infected domestic animals or pets, according to the DPH. All pets are required to be vaccinated against rabies.

Deaths from human cases of rabies are rare. Two state residents who were infected with rabies in 2011, both men, died. One, a Barnstable county resident, contracted rabies from a bat; the other man contracted rabies from an imported dog, the state agency said.

Before that, the most recent human death was in the 1930s from a rabid dog.

The state Department of Public Health laboratory in Boston will determine if the bobcat was infected with rabies. Officials say the animal was being shipped to the DPH’s Jamaica Plain facility. “It is rare — highly unusual — for someone to be attacked by a bobcat,” said Marion Larson, education and information officer for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Asked if she thought the animal may have been scared instead of rabid, Mrs. Mundell said the couple had cleaned the garage the day before and there was no reason for any animal to be inside.

The Mundells and their nephew were inoculated Sunday at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge. They must also receive shots again on Wednesday and Sunday, and another a week later.

Michael Granger’s parents are Lynn Lapierre of Brookfield and Bruce Granger of Warren. The Mundells’ friend, James Mortenson of Charlton, was also visiting Sunday when the animal attacked.

Dr. Brown said the family responded wisely to the bobcat attack. Getting medical attention to prevent contracting rabies was necessary. The virus, which spreads quickly, is fatal if left untreated.

The state’s chief veterinarian said rabid animals tend to drool at the mouth. She said a rabid animal usually presents as vicious and will attack people, or conversely, a rabid animal is lethargic and mangy and initiates inappropriate or unusual contact with humans.

Bobcats are native to Worcester County. The elusive, nocturnal animal is rarely seen.